A review of Ebolowa, by Simon Miller
After being hired to look into the supposedly accidental death of a young photojournalist, Chicago private eye Harry Kaplan travels to Cameroon to investigate. There he finds himself caught in a web of violence and intrigue as he revives a mystery that was long buried.
Based on a true story, Ebolowa is an intelligent thriller set against the historical and political backdrop of Cameroon as it emerged from French colonial rule and became an independent nation.
American Annie Fayol died in Cameroon in 1956, during an ill-advised skinny dipping session in the ocean where she drowned after being caught in a vicious riptide. Years later, her sister Candace discovers new information among her belongings and hires a detective to find out what really happened.
With the bulk of the story set in the 1970s, Ebolowa has the feel of a detective story from the golden age of gumshoes and private eyes. It has an intricate plot full of all the classic elements, from CIA stooges to local detectives who may or may not be on the bad guy’s payroll.
Harry Kaplan is the kind of hero you can imagine on the big screen, perhaps played by a younger Harrison Ford. He has a troubled past, which is sometimes alluded to during the story and might just set up another book that explores the character further.
When he arrives in Cameroon, Harry immediately causes a stir among the local underworld, with trouble not far behind. But the local gangsters aren’t the only ones on Harry’s tail, as he also draws the attention of a government agent with something to hide.
Ebolowa has an intricate plot and a large cast of characters so it’s a story that you need to pay attention to. But it’s also a fascinating insight into a period of history that I knew almost nothing about and evokes the West African country of Cameroon with vivid strokes.
An interesting read for anyone who enjoys a well written thriller with an intriguing story.
Find out more
Ebolowa on Goodreads
Ebolowa on Amazon
Ebolowa on Unbound
N.B. I received a complimentary e-book of Ebolowa in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.